A ‘substantial haul’ of tobacco products were seized after searching the trailer.

It was found hidden behind a shipment of fridge freezers on the truck.

Four men were arrested on suspicion of excise fraud.

The men arrested were aged 37, 36, 29 and another’s age is yet to be confirmed by HMRC.

Officers wearing HMRC uniform inspected a lorry and were seen going into a storage unit at the end of Parliament Road, near to the Newport Roundabout.

The lorry, which carried a Polish licence plate, was also searched.

A neighbour who lives close to the unit said it had been used for storage for some time, and no longer operated as a shop.

A HMRC spokesperson said: “HM Revenue and Customs officers seized a substantial haul of suspected illicit tobacco products after searching a trailer on Parliament Street in Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 6.